Turbine System and Method

Abstract

Some embodiments of a turbine system described herein provide a turbine that rotates in response to fluid flow, and include a rampart device that remains relatively stationary compared to the turbine and is shaped to affect fluid flow for effective power generation. The rotation of the turbine can drive a generator to output electrical energy.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . A rampart device for use with a rotatable turbine in an off-axis fluid flow of a submersed environment for electrical power generation, comprising:
 a body including a front region, a tail region, and a turbine-receiving region positioned at least partially between the front region and the tail region, the front region including an upwardly sloping surface having an uppermost portion, the turbine-receiving region including a recess having a base surface configured to receive a rotatable turbine, and the uppermost portion extending to a vertical height higher than the base surface; and   a base structure positioned below the body and including one or more anchors extending away from the body.   
     
     
         3 . The rampart device of  claim 2 , wherein the turbine-receiving portion is configured to receive the rotatable turbine such that the body does not rotate with the rotatable turbine. 
     
     
         4 . The rampart device of  claim 2 , wherein the recess is defined at least in part by a curved wall having a height that is greater near the front region than at the tail region. 
     
     
         5 . The rampart device of  claim 4 , wherein the curved wall portion comprises an aperture extending through the wall between an interior of the recess and an exterior of the body. 
     
     
         6 . The rampart device of  claim 2 , wherein the body is asymmetric about the vertical axis. 
     
     
         7 . The rampart device of  claim 2 , wherein the tail portion comprises an upwardly facing major surface, at least a portion of the upwardly major surface positioned below the base surface when in use. 
     
     
         8 . The rampart device of  claim 2 , wherein the front region, the turbine-receiving region, and the tail region are an integrally formed, unitary structure. 
     
     
         9 . The rampart device of  claim 2 , wherein the uppermost portion of the upwardly sloping surface is an uppermost portion of the body. 
     
     
         10 . The rampart device of  claim 2 , further comprising a base structure positioned below the vertical-axis turbine and including one or more anchor legs extending away from the vertical-axis turbine. 
     
     
         11 . The rampart device of  claim 10 , wherein the base structure comprises a plurality of anchor legs extending away from the body. 
     
     
         12 . The rampart device of  claim 11 , wherein the plurality of anchor legs have a longitudinal length greater than a height between the uppermost portion of the body and the base surface of the body. 
     
     
         13 . The rampart device of  claim 2 , further comprising a drive shaft extending from the body to an electrical generator component. 
     
     
         14 . A turbine system, comprising:
 a rampart device comprising a body including a front region, a tail region, and a turbine-receiving region positioned at least partially between the front region and the tail region, the front region including an upwardly sloping surface that extends between a leading edge of the rampart device and an uppermost portion of the rampart device, the turbine-receiving region including a recess having a base surface configured to receive a rotatable turbine such that the body does not rotate with the rotatable turbine, the recess defined at least in part by a curved wall having a height that is greater near the front region than at the tail region, and the uppermost portion of the rampart device extending to a vertical height higher than the base surface; and   a base structure positioned below the body and including one or more anchors extending away from the body.   
     
     
         15 . The turbine system of  claim 14 , wherein the curved wall portion comprises an aperture extending through the wall between an interior of the recess and an exterior of the body. 
     
     
         16 . The turbine system of  claim 15 , wherein the tail portion comprises an upwardly facing major surface, and at least a portion of the upwardly major surface is positioned below the base surface when in use. 
     
     
         17 . The turbine system of  claim 16 , wherein the front region, the turbine-receiving region, and the tail region are an integrally formed, unitary structure. 
     
     
         18 . The turbine system of  claim 14 , further comprising a vertical-axis turbine located within the turbine-receiving region. 
     
     
         19 . The turbine system of  claim 18 , wherein the tail region comprises an upwardly facing major surface, and at least a portion of the upwardly facing major surface is positioned below an outer periphery of the vertical-axis turbine. 
     
     
         20 . The turbine system of  claim 18 , wherein the vertical-axis turbine comprises a plurality of upwardly protruding fins that extend to a vertical height greater than an uppermost portion of the upper surface. 
     
     
         21 . The turbine system of  claim 18 , wherein the uppermost portion of the vertical-axis turbine is a ridge of a fin.